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Deep Drake

Large · Dragon · CR 9 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts

17 (natural armor)

150 (20d10+40)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Dragon

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 5000

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Walk 50 ft (15.2 m)

Fly 100 ft (30.5 m)

Swim 25 ft (7.6 m)

Climb 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 25 ft (7.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 16

Saving Throws

Dexterity +8 Constitution +6

Skills

Athletics +9 Insight +6 Perception +6

Languages

Common, Darakhul, Draconic, Undercommon

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic

Condition Immunities

paralyzed, unconscious

Environments

Caves Ruins Underworld

Traits

Magic Resistance

The drake has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Actions

Bite

+9 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d10 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage.

Breath Weapon

Recharge 5–6

A deep drake blasts forth a crackling 80-foot line of purple-black energy that wracks its victims with pain. This attack deals 35 (10d6) necrotic damage, or half damage with a successful DC 16 Dexterity saving throw. Targets that fail this saving throw must also succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or become stunned for 1d4 rounds.

Claw

+9 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The drake makes one bite attack, two claw attacks, and one stinger attack.

Stinger

+9 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d10 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 4 rounds. While poisoned this way, the target must repeat the save at the start of its turn, ending the condition on a success. On a failure, it takes 10 (3d6) poison damage. When animate dead is cast on creatures killed by this poison, the caster requires no material components.

About Deep Drake

Deep Drake is a large dragon with a Challenge Rating of 9. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 150 hit points (derived from 20d10+40).

Deep Drake has communication capabilities including Common, Darakhul, Draconic, Undercommon. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Deep Drake

2 tips available

When using Deep Drake in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.
Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 30 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.

Player Guide: Facing Deep Drake

2 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.
Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 30 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells can help.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 9.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 12 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 9,000 XP
Hard: 13,500 XP
Deadly: 18,000 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Deep Drake?: Deep Drake has a Challenge Rating of 9, making it appropriate for parties of level 9.0.
What type of creature is Deep Drake?: Deep Drake is a Large Dragon, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Deep Drake speak?: Deep Drake can communicate in Common, Darakhul, Draconic, Undercommon.